Born too late to take advantage of the tweedy academic architecture of the mainland, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, the central campus of the statewide university system, is a modern complex filled with shade trees and well-bronzed students. UH has strong programs in astronomy, second-language studies, geophysics, marine sciences, and Hawaiian and Pacific studies. The campus attracts students from islands throughout the Pacific.

Staff at the Ticket Information & ID Center provide campus maps and can answer general questions about the university. Free one-hour walking tours of the campus, emphasizing history and architecture, leave from the Campus Center at 14:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; to join a tour, simply arrive 10 minutes early. A self-guided Campus Art brochure, available at the information center, provides a walking tour of outdoor sculptures and other works by distinguished Hawaiian artists. At the east side of campus is the East-West Center, an internationally recognized education and research organization established by the US Congress in 1960 to promote mutual understanding among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and the USA. Professional and student researchers work and study at the center, examining development policy, the environment and other Pacific issues. Changing exhibitions of Asian art and culture are displayed in the East-West Center's gallery. The center often has other multicultural programs open to the public, including seminars, concert and dance performances. Ka Leo O Hawaii, the free student newspaper, lists lectures, music performances and other campus happenings. Pick it up at university libraries and other places around campus. Bus 4 runs between the university and Waikiki; bus 6 travels between the university and Ala Moana.